Textile machine with periodically reciprocating parts

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for use with a textile machine or the like having periodically reciprocating parts includes actuating means continuously operable with the textile machine. Linkage means operatively connected to the actuating means has a first position operable to impart to the actuating means a reciprocating motion to reciprocate the reciprocating parts and a second position operable to cause the actuating means to terminate the reciprocating motion of the reciprocal parts.

United States Patent Vomberg July 1, 1975 TEXTILE MACHINE WITH PERIODICALLY RECIPROCATING PARTS Rainer Vomberg, Monchen-Gladbach, Germany Assignee: W. Schlafhorst & Co.,

Monchen-Gladbach, Germany Filed: 1 Nov. 15, 1972 Appl. No.: 306,573

Inventor:

Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 24, 1971 Germany 2164557 US. Cl 74/110; 74/520 Int. Cl. F16h 21/44 Field of Search 74/110, 519, 520

7 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Joyce 74/110 Primary ExaminerSamuel Scott Assistant Examiner-Frank I-I. McKenzie, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm--I-lerbert L. Lerner [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for use with a textile machine or the like having periodically reciprocating parts includes actuating means continuously operable with the textile machine. Linkage means operatively connected to the actuating means has a first position operable to impart to the actuating means a reciprocating motion to reciprocate the reciprocating parts and a second position operable to cause the actuating means to terminate the reciprocating motion of the reciprocal parts.

8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures TEXTILE MACHINE WITH PERIODICALLY RECIPROCATING PARTS The present invention relates to a textile machine with periodically reciprocating parts and more particularly to a hosiery knitting machine and the knitting needles used therewith.

In order to increase the productivity of such machines it is desirable'to obtain the highest possible speed for the reciprocating parts. An example where it is desired to obtain high reciprocal speed occurs in the case of controlling slide needles in warp knitting machines. Difficulties occur however, particularly at the ends of the stroke of the reciprocating movement when the movement of the parts is suddenly initiated or interrupted.

Heretofore known control elements employed for this purpose where not able to meet desired objectives. This has been so because during the stopping and renewed starting, considerable masses must be slowed down or accelerated, and high reaction forces are developed by the control elements during such periods. As a result, these known machines were only able to operate with small operational strokes, and the control elements. such as couplings or the like, were subjected to heavy wear. It is an object of the present invention to eliminate and overcome these disadvantages.

To this end and in accordance with the invention, in order to selectively start or stop the periodically reciprocal parts in the operational mode of a knitting machine or the like, the reciprocating parts are operatively associated with non-detachable connecting elements, more particularly links which are so arranged that the continuously operated means which drives the periodically reciprocal parts is guided during its off or disconnect position into an operational mode different from that which occurs during the on or connect position. In this manner. the parts which are to be reciprocated periodically at a high speed, and whose movement path is to proceed linearly or curved, can be connected and disconnected in rapid sequence, whereby the movement energy is deflected but not nullified, when the reciprocal movement of the reciprocating working or operating elements, such as knitting needles or the like, is terminated, the stroke or movement of the continuouly operable drive means, though it continues, is guided through a stroke displacement into another, e.g. an opposite, direction.

According to another feature of the invention, the deflection of the stroke direction may be provided by one or several non-detachable connecting elements which are connected with control members which restrain or release the movement of the connecting elements. The control members may consist, for example, of couplings or brakes which actuate the connecting elements. In some cases, certain control members may introduce unavoidable play of these members which may lead to inaccurate movements of the connecting elements. In order to avoid this, the control members may be attached also in a non-detachable relationship, to the connecting elements. Furthermore, the control members may be arranged so that in order to restrain movement or terminate reciprocation they can be transfered into a dead center position.

Slight shifting forces and small shifting movements as well as a secure fixation of the control members as soon as they are transferred into the dead center position, can preferably be achieved if, according to another feature of the invention, the non-detachable connecting elements comprise two spaced bars each having one end pivotally mounted on its own fixed pivot in the same plane, and which are inter-connected by means of two bar sections which form a knee joint. The knee joint receives a continuous and constant stroke movement and each bar is provided with a hinged pair of levers in the form of control members that are connected in hinged relation on one hand, with said bar and. on the other hand, with the end of a common shifting lever.

At the same time. the ends of the shifting lever may be provided with stop members for the hinged pair of levers in order to support the pair of hinged levers during shifting to the dead center position. It is also advantageous to provide the hinged pair of levers with stop contours which secure the on-and off postion. These stop contours can be affixed either on both bars spaced from each other, or they may be situated in form of independent stop points, in a gear housing which accomodates all elements, such as the bars control members, hinged lever pairs and connecting elements. The constant stroke movement delivered to the fulcrum of the sections which form a knee joint can be produced either by a cam gear, a linkage, or by a gear.

Examples of the invention will now be described with reference to the following drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of apparatus providing for periodic reciprocation of elements according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of another embodiment employing a lever linkage in place of the knee joint included in the FIG. 1 embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of another embodiment utilizing pairs of hinged levers as control members.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a slide 3 which is to be reciprocated in the direction indicated by the double arrow 1, along the length of stroke indicated by the double arrow 2, The slide 3 operates in conjunction with a slide needle (not shown) of a hosiery knitting machine or the like. A hub element is reciprocated between the two positions indicated by the double arrow 4 by known means including linkages,

cam plates, gears, levers, and the .like (all not shown) whereby the hub element actuates a bar 5 and fulcrum means 8, to operate a knee joint formed, as a pivotal connection between the bar 5 and two bar sections 6 and 7.

A shifting lever 9 is pivotally mounted at a central location and has pivotally connected at one end an arrestingpin 10 which is adapted to engage or disengage from a slide element 12. The slide element 11, is free to reciprocate in the direction indicated by the double arrow 14 when the arresting pin 10 is disengaged from the slide element 11. When the arresting pin 10 engages slide element 11 the latter is prevented from being reciprocated.

Another arresting pin 13 is pivotally connected to the other end of the shifting lever 9 and is adapted to engage or disengage a slide element 12 which operates the slide 3. The slide element 12 is free to reciprocate in the direction indicated by the double arrow 1 when the arresting pin 13 is disengaged from the slide element 12. However, when the arresting pin 13 engages the slide element 12, the latter is prevented from being reciprocated.

I It will be seen that with the shifting lever 9 in the position shown in FIG. 1, the slide element 11 will be arrested by the arresting pin 10 so that back and forth movement of the bar 5 will articulate the bar sections 6 and 7 to cause reciprocation of the slide element 12.

When the shifting lever 9 is pivoted counterclockwise about its centralized axis from the position shown in FIG. 1, the arresting pin 10 will disengage from the slide element 11 and the arresting pin 13 will be moved from a disengaging position to engage the slide element 12. Accordingly, the slide element 11 will now bereciprocated by the bars 5, 6, 7 and the slide element 12 will remain stationary. The broken lines 5, 6', 7 and the small circle 8' in FIG. 1 indicate the position of the bars 5, 6, 7 and knee joint 8 when the slide element 12 is in its lowest position. Thus it will be seen that by pivoting the shifting lever 9, it is possible to provide for reciprocation or to terminate reciprocation of the slide element 12.

Under certain circumstances it may be desireable to provide a linkage arrangement, for example as shown in FIG. 2, instead of the knee joint arrangement in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2 a constant stroke reciprocal movement is imparted to a bar 34 in the direction indicated by the double arrow 33. A lever 35 has a central portion pivotally secured to the bar 34. A shifting bar 38 has a fork 41 at one end adapted to engage the end of lever 35 and another fork 40 at the other end adapted to engage the other end of the lever 35. A slide element is pivotally connected to one end portion of the bar 35 and carries a slide element reciprocal in the direction indicated by the double arrow 1 to thereby reciprocate the slider 3.

When the elements are in the position shown in FIG. 2, the fork 40 on ish ifting lever 38 engages the end of lever 35. Accordingly, the reciprocating movement of bar 34'imparts a reciprocating movement to the end of lever 35 "within a guide 37, such reciprocating movement being indicated generally by the double arrow disposeda'b'o've and below the right hand half of lever 35 in FIG.'2. At the same time the other end of the lever 35 is prevented from reciprocal movement due to the engagement thereof by the fork 42. Accordingly, the slide-- 3*"Will not be reciprocated. However, when the shiftin'g'link 38 is shifted to the left as viewed in FIG. 2, the-fork 42 will become disengaged from the end of lever 35 and the fork 41 will engage the other end of lever 35. The right hand end of lever 35 will be held in position by the fork 41 and the left hand end of lever 35 will be free to be reciprocated in the guide 43 by the reciprocating lever 34, to thereby reciprocate the slide 3. Thusit will be seen that shifting the lever 38 makes it possible to provide for reciprocation or to terminate reciprocation of the slide 3.

FIG. 3 shows a further alternate embodiment wherein a slide 3 is reciprocal in the direction indicated by the double arrow 1. As in the case of the embodiment of FIG. 1, a knee joint 25 pivotally connects bars 22, 23, 24. Reciprocation of a hub element between the positions indicated by the double arrow 4 will articulate the bars 22, 23, 24 to various positions including the position indicated by the broken lines 22, 23', 24, 25'. A bar 27 has one end pivotally connected to bar 23 I and the other end pivotally connected to a fixed pivot central portion pivotally mounted on a fixed pivot and one end operably connected to the bar 27 through intermediate control links 15, 16. Similarly the shifting lever has its other end operably connected to the bar 28 by means of control links 17, 18. When the shifting lever 26 and pivotal control links 15, '16 are disposed generally in a streight line as shown in FIG. 3 by the broken lines 15, 16' so that the pivotal connection between the upper portion of shifting lever 26 and pivotal control link 16 is at dead center as indicated at 19, the pivot 20 at the end of bar 23 will be held in a fixed position and the slide 3 will not be reciprocated. A stop member 29 secured to the bar 26 provides the support for the pivotal control links 15, 16 when shifting into the dead center position 19. On the opposite side a fixed stop element 31 determines the dead center position 19' for the pivotal levers 15, 16.

When it is desired to provide for reciprocation of the slide 3 the position of the pivotal control links 15, 16 is shifted generally to the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 3 wherein the pivotal links 15, 16 and bar 26 are no longer in a straight line and the pivot between pivot link 16 and bar 26 is no longer on dead center 19. Thus it will be seen that with the elements disposed as just described, the slide 3 is free to reciprocate as the pivotal control links 15, 16 and bar 27 are free to pivot.

In a similar manner, the pivot 21, on the end of the bar 24 may be free to reciprocate or its reciprocation may be terminated by disposing the pivotal control links 17, 18 in a manner similar to the pivotal control links l5, 16. It will be seen that the lower section of shifting lever 26 has a stop member 30 similar to stop member 29 and that a fixed stop member 32 is provided similar to stop member 31. The shifting lever 26 and pivotal control links 17, 18 have a dead center position 19 similar to the previously described dead center position 19. It will be seen that with the shifting lever 26 in the solid position in FIG. 3, the pivot 21 at the end of bar 24 will not be able to reciprocate. However, when the position of the shifting lever 26 is changed to that generally indicated by the broken lines 26, the pivot 21 at the end of bar 24 will be free to reciprocate in the direction indicated by the arrow 14.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3 as well as with other embodiments, a linkage arrangement as shown in FIG. 2,

for example, may be employed in place of the knee joint.

Upon a study of this disclosure it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that my invention permits various modifications and may be given embodiments other than those particularly illustrated and described herein, without departing from the essential features of the invention and within the scope of the claims annexed hereto.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus for use with a textile machine or the like having periodically reciprocating means (12) comprising actuating means (5, 6, 7) continuously operable with said textile machine, and linkage means (9, 10, 13) operatively connectible to said actuating means (5, 6, 7), said linkage means (9, 10, 13) having a first position wherein saidactuating means (5, 6, 7) are operable to impart a reciprocating motion to reciprocate said reciprocating means (12) and a second position wherein said actuating means (5, 6, 7) are prevented from reciprocating said reciprocating means (12), said reciprocating m'eans'comprising first (l2) and second (11) elements. said first element (12) being reciprocated and said second element (11) being stationary when said linkage means (9, 10, 13) are in said first position, said second element (11) being reciprocated and said first element (12) being stationary when said linkage means (9, 10, 13) are in said second position, said linkage means comprising shifting lever means (10, 13) which are movable into said first position and said second position. said shifting lever means (10, 13) when in said first position engaging said second element (11) to prevent reciprocation of the latter, said shifting lever means (10, 13) when in said second position engaging said first element (12) to prevent reciprocation of the latter.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said shifting lever means (15, 16, 17 and 26,27, 28) remain attached to said first (20) and second (21) elements when said shifting lever means (-18, 2628) are in its first and second position and any other-intermediate position.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said shift ing lever means (15-18, 26-28) comprise a first (15, 16, 27) and a second (17, 18, 28) group of pivotally mounted control levers movable into a dead center position in which at least three of the pivotal axes of each group connecting the levers of each group'are generally aligned, whereby either of said first (15, 16, 27) and second (17, 18, 28) group of levers are selectively held stationary as said actuating means (22, 23, 24) continue to operate.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said first (15, 16, 27) group and second (17, 18, 28) group of le vers comprises a first bar (27) and a second bar (28) spaced from each other, each of said first (27) and second (28) bars having one end pivotally mounted on a fixed pivot, and the other end pivotally connected to said first and second (21) elements respectively, said actuating means including a first rod (22) and a pair of rods (23. 24) defining a knee joint, said pair of rods (23, 24) each having one end portion pivotally connected to said first (20) and second (21) elements, said first rod (22) being continuously reciprocated with a constant stroke, said shifting lever means comprising a lever 26 having a central portion pivotally mounted on a fixed pivot. said first group of control levers comprising a pair of pivotal control members (15, 16) pivotally connecting one end portion of said shifting lever 26) to said first bar (27 and said second group of control levers comprising a pair of pivotal control members (17, 18) pivotally connecting another end portion of said shifting lever (26) to said second bar (28).

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 comprising stop members (29, 30) disposed on the end portions of said shifting lever (26) for each pair 'of said pairs of control members (15, 16 and 17, 18). i

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein each pair of said pairs of control members (15, 16 and l7, 18) is associated with fixed stop m'eans (31 and 32) for determining said dead center position.

7. Apparatus for use with a textile machine or the like having periodically reciprocating means 12) comprising actuating means (5, 6, 7) continuously operable with said textile machine, and linkage means (9, 10, 13) operatively connectible to said actuating means (5, 6, 7), said linkage means (9, 10, 13) having a first position wherein said actuating means (5, 6, 7) are operable to impart a reciprocating motion to reciprocate said reciprocating means (12) and a second position wherein said actuating means (5, 6, 7) are prevented from reciprocating said reciprocating means 12), said linkage means (9, 10, l3) coriiprising a shifting lever (9) having a central portion pivotally mounted on a fixed pivot, and arresting mearjis (10, 13) on both end portions of said shifting lever 9) selectively engageable with and disengageable from said first (l2) and second (11) elements dependingon the position of said shifting lever (9). a

8. Apparatus for use with 'atextile machine or the like having periodically reciprocating means (12) comprising actuating means (5, 6i, 7 continuously operable with said textile machine, and linkage means (9, l0, l3) operatively connectible to said actuating means (5, 6, 7), said linkage means (9,10, 13) having a first position wherein said actuating means (5, 6, 7) are operable to impart a reciprocating motion to reciprocate said reciprocating means (12) and a second position wherein said actuating means-(5, 6, 7) are prevented from reciprocating said reciprocating means (12), said actuating means comprising a rod element (35), and said linkage means comprising a bar (38) having fork elements (41, 42) on either end for engaging and disengaging from the ends of said rod element (35). 

1. Apparatus for use with a textile machine or the like having periodically reciprocating means (12) comprising actuating means (5, 6, 7) continuously operable with said textile machine, and linkage means (9, 10, 13) operatively connectible to said actuating means (5, 6, 7), said linkage means (9, 10, 13) having a first position wherein said actuating means (5, 6, 7) are operable to impart a reciprocating motion to reciprocate said reciprocating means (12) and a second position wherein said actuating means (5, 6, 7) are prevented from reciprocating said reciprocating means (12), said reciprocating means comprising first (12) and second (11) elements, said first element (12) being reciprocated and said second element (11) being stationary when said linkage means (9, 10, 13) are in said first position, said second element (11) being reciprocated and said first element (12) being stationary when said linkage means (9, 10, 13) are in said second position, said linkage means comprising shifting lever means (10, 13) which are movable into said first position and said second position, said shifting lever means (10, 13) when in said first position engaging said second element (11) to prevent reciprocation of the latter, said shifting lever means (10, 13) when in said second position engaging said first element (12) to prevent reciprocation of the latter.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said shifting lever means (15, 16, 17 and 26, 27, 28) remain attached to said first (20) and second (21) elements when said shifting lever means (15-18, 26-28) are in its first and second position and any other intermediate position.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said shifting lever means (15-18, 26-28) comprise a first (15, 16, 27) and a second (17, 18, 28) group of pivotally mounted control levers movable into a dead Center position in which at least three of the pivotal axes of each group connecting the levers of each group are generally aligned, whereby either of said first (15, 16, 27) and second (17, 18, 28) group of levers are selectively held stationary as said actuating means (22, 23, 24) continue to operate.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said first (15, 16, 27) group and second (17, 18, 28) group of levers comprises a first bar (27) and a second bar (28) spaced from each other, each of said first (27) and second (28) bars having one end pivotally mounted on a fixed pivot, and the other end pivotally connected to said first (20) and second (21) elements respectively, said actuating means including a first rod (22) and a pair of rods (23, 24) defining a knee joint, said pair of rods (23, 24) each having one end portion pivotally connected to said first (20) and second (21) elements, said first rod (22) being continuously reciprocated with a constant stroke, said shifting lever means comprising a lever 26 having a central portion pivotally mounted on a fixed pivot, said first group of control levers comprising a pair of pivotal control members (15, 16) pivotally connecting one end portion of said shifting lever (26) to said first bar (27) and said second group of control levers comprising a pair of pivotal control members (17, 18) pivotally connecting another end portion of said shifting lever (26) to said second bar (28).
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4 comprising stop members (29, 30) disposed on the end portions of said shifting lever (26) for each pair of said pairs of control members (15, 16 and 17, 18).
 6. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein each pair of said pairs of control members (15, 16 and 17, 18) is associated with fixed stop means (31 and 32) for determining said dead center position.
 7. Apparatus for use with a textile machine or the like having periodically reciprocating means (12) comprising actuating means (5, 6, 7) continuously operable with said textile machine, and linkage means (9, 10, 13) operatively connectible to said actuating means (5, 6, 7), said linkage means (9, 10, 13) having a first position wherein said actuating means (5, 6, 7) are operable to impart a reciprocating motion to reciprocate said reciprocating means (12) and a second position wherein said actuating means (5, 6, 7) are prevented from reciprocating said reciprocating means (12), said linkage means (9, 10, 13) comprising a shifting lever (9) having a central portion pivotally mounted on a fixed pivot, and arresting means (10, 13) on both end portions of said shifting lever (9) selectively engageable with and disengageable from said first (12) and second (11) elements depending on the position of said shifting lever (9).
 8. Apparatus for use with a textile machine or the like having periodically reciprocating means (12) comprising actuating means (5, 6, 7) continuously operable with said textile machine, and linkage means (9, 10, 13) operatively connectible to said actuating means (5, 6, 7), said linkage means (9, 10, 13) having a first position wherein said actuating means (5, 6, 7) are operable to impart a reciprocating motion to reciprocate said reciprocating means (12) and a second position wherein said actuating means (5, 6, 7) are prevented from reciprocating said reciprocating means (12), said actuating means comprising a rod element (35), and said linkage means comprising a bar (38) having fork elements (41, 42) on either end for engaging and disengaging from the ends of said rod element (35). 